imaginative

adjective

i-'ma-jə-nə-tiv How to pronounce imaginative (audio)
Definition of imaginativenext
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imaginative Auspicious Jupiter energizes your 3rd House of Communication while imaginative Neptune harmonizes from your 11th House of Friends and Community, making ideas, introductions, and pitches flow more easily. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 This was how Szymborska chose to commemorate the loss of her own great love; quietly, obliquely, and with vast imaginative generosity. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Rookie coordinator Christian Parker is a high-energy, imaginative coach with strong communication and instructional skills and a knack for developing young talent. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Johnny Moreno’s video and projection design artfully augments the production’s imaginative world. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
  1. inventive
  2. innovative
  3. creative
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • Shi draws on his own family history to examine ageing, domestic violence and intergenerational duty in contemporary China, working in a mode that marries close observational filmmaking with formally inventive cinematic language.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Below is another interchange with Scott, away to Newcastle the following week, as well as a piece of inventive hold-up play to free Adrien Truffert down the wing at Manchester City last November.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • Even inspirational leaders make boneheaded calls, as with firing an innovative defense minister.
    — Max Boot, Washington Post, 20 July 2026
  • Disengaged teams are less innovative and less resilient, and replacing experienced employees is costly.
    — Jennifer Lee, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • Silbiger’s creative burnout and yearning to explore the United States coincided with Bernert taking a buyout in the autumn of 2023 from his journalism job in the district.
    — Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • What Rick and Morty had going for it, at its best, was conceptual inspiration, the ability to take a kernel of an idea and stretch it to the creative limit and beyond.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • Financial success is less about any one clever trick and more about consistency, education, and adjusting course as your life evolves.
    — AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The clever mind outplays the strong Who rush with fury all day long.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • While Klopp may not have a squad as talented as previous iterations at his disposal, there are reasons to be optimistic.
    — Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Thank you to Apple for their unwavering support, to our visionary writers, our incredible crew, and our extraordinarily talented cast, who brought five seasons to life with a truth audiences believed every step of the way.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

imagination
imaginative
imaginativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on imaginative

Nglish: Translation of imaginative for Spanish Speakers

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